AeroTech Evolution bicycle case

October 22, 2009 @ 10:50 pm

Core77 posted about the AeroTech Evolution hard-shell bike case today which looks like a pretty great thing to have if you’re constantly flying or traveling with your bicycle in tow.

The AeroTech Evolution can fit a disassembled bicycle very neatly in its padded interior with independent compartments for wheels and bike parts.

Cannondale Concept Stealth bicycle

October 1, 2009 @ 1:20 am

Last year at the Eurobike Bike Show in Germany, Cannondale introduced this Stealth concept bicycle. As the name suggests, the bicycle was designed with inspiration coming from stealth fighter jets and the Lamborghini Reventon (a car also designed with stealth fighter jets in mind).

The bike was designed and built with some pretty innovative new technoliges, as stated by Cannondale:

In addition to a new form language dominated by hard edges and twisting surfaces, the bike features a single-sided fork, integrated disc brakes, integrated stem/handlebars, internal cable routing and integrated seat collar, many of which are unique features in this segment. This carries on Cannondale’s strong heritage of System Integration and long tradition of not allowing existing standards to constrain the development process and prevent innovation.

The bike was designed by Cannondale’s in-house design team, and prototyped from Carbon fiber and aluminum at Cannondale’s own factory in Bedford, PA. The frame was designed and manufactured as a monocoque carbon part making the front triangle including the chainstays in the mold, a first for Cannondale. The frame mold was machined from two 350lb blocks of aluminum and used seven bladders during the molding process. Using a similar molding process, the Stealth concept also showcases the first full carbon fiber rigid Lefty fork for a road bike including disc brakes. The dropouts, seatpost clamp, headset cups, Lefty road spindle, and fork mold were all machined from aluminum in our Bethel office in CT by our Engineers. The final bonding of the carbon and aluminum structure was completed in the Bedford facility as was final finishing, paint and assembly. The prototype is rideable and weighs in at 8,8kg.

Although this bike is not made for production, portions of it will likely be adapted onto future Cannondale bike models. Nice. I wonder what they do with concept bikes like this. Do they just store them away or do one of the designers get to take it home?

Click the images below to see larger photos of this gorgeous bike.

Raider playing card deck

September 16, 2009 @ 1:59 am

magic-raider-cards

My personal playing card collection continues to grow with the addition of this Raider deck from the Magic Network. The box that the cards came in looked less than official (graphics were pixelated, front image was not aligned perfectly), so that led me to believe that this deck of cards was made without the knowledge of The US Playing Card Company. Of course, these Magic Network-commissioned cards do not feature the classic Rider back but instead feature a unique back graphic that consists of two large spades and some other elements.

The card faces are black with white clubs and spades and red hearts and diamonds. Despite my doubts about the authenticity of this deck, the cards to feel exactly the same as my other Bicycle cards and that’s really all I care about. Still as smooth as ever. Thanks Ivy!

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2010 Motobecane Team Track

September 15, 2009 @ 9:28 pm

motobecane-team-track-2010

As I mentioned yesterday, BikesDirect has added a number of new bikes to their single-speed and fixed gear section and shown above is the 2010 Motobecane Team Track which is a surprisingly unique frame at a very good deal. You can either buy the entire bike for $800 or just the frame for $350. I love the frame’s shape and angles, but if I ever got this, I’d change up the paint job to a nice royal blue (or metallic blue).

Bicycle yellow playing cards

September 9, 2009 @ 3:16 pm

bicycle-yellow-playing-cards-1

If you follow @doobybrain, you might have already seen these, but for those of you who are anti-Twitter, here you go: the Bicycle yellow playing card deck.

It comes with two “trick” cards (shown below) which look like they are misprinted. This deck, once again, is courtesy of Ivy!

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